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How Much Do You Know About an Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder is a health problem that can affect your daily life. It can cause you to feel depressed, guilty, and tired from not sleeping well. You may have to miss work and may struggle with personal relationships.

1. Going to the bathroom more than 8 times a day is normal.

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Some people blame frequent trips to the bathroom on drinking too many beverages, getting older, or having a small bladder. Instead, the reason may be overactive bladder (OAB). Common symptoms of OAB include frequent trips to the bathroom. This means more 8 times in 24 hours. You may need to get up several times during a night to use the bathroom. Other symptoms are overwhelming and unexpected urges to urinate, and an intense fear of not finding a toilet before it’s too late. OAB is common, but it can be treated.

A. True
B. False

2. Certain types of medicine can cause OAB.

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OAB and other types of urinary incontinence can be caused by some types of medicine. One type is diuretics. Caffeinated beverages can also cause urinary incontinence. Urinary tract infections and nerve damage from childbirth or diabetes can also cause it.

A. True
B. False

3. Overactive bladder is just another name for incontinence, or people who lose control of their bladder and "wet" themselves.

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Although OAB is a type of incontinence, not all people with OAB have bathroom accidents, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. About 6 people in 10 who have OAB need to urinate often and/or have an overwhelming, sudden urge to urinate. But they don't wet themselves. Fewer than half of people with OAB lose control of their bladder and release urine when they don’t want to. So, even those who make it to the bathroom in time may have OAB if they have the symptoms of frequency and urgency.

A. True
B. False

4. Overactive bladder is only a problem for older women.

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Although it is more common in women after menopause, women—and men—of any age can have OAB. OAB is not a normal part of aging. Remember, you are never too old to get help.

A. True
B. False

5. Only older women have loss of bladder control during exercise.

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Loss of bladder control doesn’t just happen to older women who exercise. More than 28% of elite, competitive female college athletes have urinary incontinence. Those with OAB often limit or stop their exercise routines because of the condition.

A. True
B. False

6. Cutting back on the amount of fluids you drink is a good way to limit how often you need to use the bathroom.

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People with OAB are likely to skip fluids before they travel, go to bed, and leave the house. This may ease their symptoms, but drinking less liquid can cause dehydration. This is a dangerous condition in which the body’s water levels drop too low. Severe dehydration requires hospitalization. It is one of the main reasons that older adults fall or feel confused.

A. True
B. False

7. Bladder problems do not really affect intimate relationships.

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More than half of all sexually active women with bladder control problems also have sexual difficulties. It is common for women with bladder control problems to urinate upon penetration, or leak or empty their bladder during orgasm. Women with OAB are likely to avoid sexual relationships because they worry about embarrassing situations that could occur.

A. True
B. False

8. Bladder control problems can affect how well you do your job and how much you enjoy social activities.

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More than half of women with bladder control problems think their symptoms affect their work and social relationships. Women with OAB often become preoccupied with hiding their condition. They may constantly check their clothes for wetness, try to mask urine smells with perfume, and frequently visit the bathroom. These all make it harder to have a normal workday or take part in social activities.

A. True
B. False

9. Not much can be done for overactive bladder.

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OAB is treatable. People with the condition have more and better options today than in the past. A number of treatments are available, including new medicines with fewer side effects. If you think you have OAB, discuss your symptoms with a health care provider.